Cousins Katie and Nicole Darling both share the same passion.

Katie, a senior captain on the Jordan-Elbridge girls outdoor track and field team, is having a career senior year in her events the long jump, and 200m.

Nicole, a junior with the Eagles, is also the rising Darling star in the track and field family genes and excels in the 1500m, 2000m and 3000m events.

Bond is something Katie enjoys and that's demonstrated through her relationship with her cousin Nicole. The two of them motivate each other with track.

“Nicole and I are like sisters,” Katie Darling said. “A lot of people mistake us as sisters, but we really aren't, however we are close like sisters. I look out for her. We both enjoy cheering each other on and helping each other out too.”

Katie will be attending SUNY Geneseo in the fall where she will be a member of the track and field team.

“It's nice to know that I will be able to focus just on jumping,” Katie said. “I'll have a coach specifically for that and I like that a lot. It's just one big family.”

Katie has already set the school record in the long jump (16-11) and is tied for a school record in the 200m (27.2).

“Katie has jumped a 16-11 this year and I expect her to jump 17-feet before the state qualifier,” Eagles coach Ben Alexander said of the long jump.

Katie got into track and field in middle school.

“I talked to my family about it and they all recommended track and field,” she said. “Track runs in our family so it was kind of recommended by everyone.”

Katie qualified for the Section III Championships at the Jordan-Elbridge Invitational in which she also set numerous personal bests.

As for Nicole, the Eagles have high expectations.

“I foresee (Nicole) being just as good as Katie,” Alexander said. “I see her following her footsteps as a leader.”

Both of the Darling cousins are quiet and as Alexander says the way they lead is different then some captains might. The two of them will sit back and watch what's going on while soaking in what is said.

“They are very quiet so leading for them is more of an example type of thing,” Alexander said. “I see Nicole doing the same thing next year.”

Unlike Katie, Nicole is more of a distance runner. She too set a personal best at the Jordan-Elbridge Invitational.

“She's versatile and quick,” Alexander said. “An all-around competitor.”

In eighth grade when coach Todd Wolfanger was out recruiting athletes, he talked her into trying out for track and field.

“It was kind of nice to know my cousin was on the team too,” Nicole said. “With her being older then me it's nice because she can show me some tips and help me out. Plus I look up to her a lot so that was a lot of help knowing she's on the team.”

Alexander would like to see Nicole get her time down to under 11 minutes for the 3000m before sectionals.

“I was pleased to know that I got my time where it is because now I know I can get my time in the 10 minute range,” Nicole Darling said.

Heading into the season, Nicole set her goals with the hopes of being in the top 10 for both the 3000m and 1500m events.

With another year of track, she already has her sights on some colleges and has begun to talk to some. Just like her older cousin, Nicole wants to run track in college, too.

“I respect Katie a lot and I feel she respects me too,” Nicole said.